Our Lady’s Secondary School Curriculum Policy

 

School Ethos

    Our Lady’s is a holistic centre of development and learning where each person is special and treasured as such. We, the staff and students, enjoy working together to realise our full potential in a healthy, safe, stimulating and friendly environment where the atmosphere is one of mutual respect, co-operation and challenge. Christian community is our heritage and goal. The Good News of the Gospel is our story.

 

Aim

·         The aim is to provide a curriculum for students that ensures they are challenged and supported to reach their potential .

 

Objectives

·         To outline the subject and course options available to students in all years.

·         To outline the procedures for allocating students to class.

·         To outline provision for additional  student support.

 

Programmes

The following programmes are offered to our students:

·         Junior Certificate

·         Junior Certificate Schools programme

·         Transition Year

·         Leaving Certificate

·         Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme

·         Leaving Certificate Applied

Junior Certificate

Core subjects: English; Irish(except when eligible for an exemption); Maths; French/German; Science; C.S.P.E.; Religion; History; Geography; P.E.; S.P.H.E. ;Computer Studies(May be part of the core in First Yr only). On occasion the number of core subjects taken by a student may be reduced, in consultation with parents, to facilitate additional help in their remaining subjects.

Optional subjects: Home Economics; Music; Business Studies; Art, Craft and Design; Technical Graphics; Materials Technology(Wood)

Junior Certificate Schools Programme

  This programme offers a more flexible approach in mediating the Junior Cycle curriculum for students who have diverse learning needs. A wide range of teaching methodologies are utilised with particular emphasis on the differentiation of teaching and learning to reflect the ability range of the students on the programme.

  At the core of the programme is a profiling system, which facilitates teachers in monitoring and recording students’ achievements. The profiling system comprises of a series of statements, each affirming what a student can do, knows or understands.

  All students in the programme are entered in the junior certificate examination. Students follow the same courses as their peers in the examination subjects that they have selected. On completion of the programme students receive an individual Student Profile which is a cumulative record of their achievements and is validated by the department of Education and Science. This is in addition to any grades they achieve in the Junior Certificate examination.

 

Transition Year

Aims: T. Y. aims to enable each student to :

·         Grow in maturity and self-confidence.

·         Develop the social and communication skills necessary to live in modern society.

·         Understand and experience the world of work, business and technology.

·         Prepare for Leaving Cert Programmes and assist in subject choice.

·         Manage the constructive use of leisure time.

 

Target Group: T.Y. is compulsory for all students with the exception of those pursuing L.C.A.

Core subjects: Maths; English ;Irish(except when eligible for an exemption) ;Religion ;P.E. ;Social Education ;E.C.D.L.

Optional subjects: French; German ;Business ;Home Economics ;Chemistry ;History ;Construction Studies;Geography;Accounting;Music;Physics;Biology;Economics; Design& Communication Graphics and Art.

Students are requested to select one subject from each of four option lines. The option lines are drawn up following a survey of student preferences and may vary from year to year. Subject selection is not rigid and students may change option subject to availability of space. Entry to certain subjects which students have not pursued for J.C. may be facilitated where certain conditions are met and in consultation with the relevant teacher and school management.

Modules: Students will be offered a number of modules from which they will  select.  2 half year modules and 1 full year modules.

The modules may include:Equestrian;Sport&Leisure;Cookery;Woodcraft;Self-defence;Beauty Care; Dance; Yoga; Paired Reading; Keep-Fit; Clay Animation ;Video; Creative Crafts; Maintenance.Dance; Drama ;Sport &Leisure,Flower Arranging; Tag Rugby;Environmental Studies; Road Safety; Moving Image; Enterprise  and Mini-Company.

The range of module offered may vary from year to year subject to student demand and the availability of teaching staff.

Work Experience: All students will do two weeks work experience in two different companies/firms/businesses/schools etc. Students are responsible for sourcing their own placements in consultation with the T.Y. co-ordinator.

T.Y. Fee: The T.Y fee covers those items outlined in the T.Y. brochure.

 

Leaving Certificate

Core subjects: English; Irish (except where eligible for an exemption);Maths; Religion; Career Guidance ;P.E.

Optional subjects: French; German; Business; Home Economics; Chemistry; History; Construction Studies;Geography;Accounting;Music;Physics;Biology;Economics;Design and Communications Graphics and Art

 

 

Leaving Certificate Vocational

Target Group: Offered to students not pursuing L.C. Maths at Higher Level.

Aims: L.C.V.P. aims to:

·         Provide an expanded range of curricular options.

·         Offer students enhanced opportunities for participation in a vocationally oriented curriculum.

·         Provide certification that is respected for it’s quality and standard of educational achievement.

Programme: The L.C.V.P. student will pursue a programme which includes:

·         A continental language

·         Enterprise Education

·         Preparation for Work

·         Two L.C. subjects from approved groupings.

·         Irish(except where eligible for an exemption)

·         At least one other approved L.C. subject

 

Leaving Certificate Applied

  The Leaving Cert Applied is a distinct, self-contained Leaving Certificate programme. It is designed for those students those whose needs, aspirations and aptitudes are not adequately catered  for by the other two Leaving Cert programmes. It is offered every second year subject to a viable number of applicants. Students may enter this programme directly following J.C. subject to the programme being offered. This programme is characterised by educational experiences of an active, practical and student-centred nature. There are three subject groups:

·         General education: Social Education; Communicative Irish: French;Religion; Arts Education; Leisure and Recreation.

·         Vocational Education: Vocational Specialism; Mathematical Applications; Information Technology

·         Vocational Preparation: Vocational Preparation and Guidance; English and Communications.

 

Procedures and Protocols

First Year

All first year classes are mixed ability. Aptitude tests are held for 6th class students who have enrolled for the following school year. The tests are held around March. Every effort is made to ensure that classes are balanced both in terms of ability and gender. Prior to choosing their optional subjects students are given an opportunity to sample all optional subjects. Following the sampling period an Information Evening is held for first year parents and students then make their choice. The arrangements for changing subject are outlined in Appendix (1).

Second Year

  At the start of second year students are banded for Maths; Irish and English on the basis of their exams and class work in First Year. Procedures for the formation of such classes are outlined in Appendix(2).We strive to ensure that all students pursue their studies at the level most appropriate to their ability and work rate. This may on occasion necessitate movement of class from higher to ordinary level or from ordinary to higher level. Students may only change their optional subjects in exceptional circumstances. See Appendix (1)

Third Year

 Students confirm the level they intend to take in each subject when making their exam entry , which takes place after the pre-exams and prior to the state examinations. Change of level on the day of the exam requires written notification from school management. The majority of students attempt most subjects at higher level. Students moving from one class to another due to changing level must follow agreed procedures. See Appendix (1).It is normal practice for all J.C. students to take 10 examination subjects in addition to R.E.; P.E. & S.P.H.E. In a minority of cases it may be decided that a student may benefit from a smaller number of subjects and additional support in the core subjects. The circumstances and procedures in such cases are outlined in Appendix (1).

Fourth Year

Arrangements  re. T.Y. are outlined above. Given the ethos of T.Y.; the early selection of subjects and the fact that J.C. results may cause students to review their subject choice; maximum flexibility is shown to students with regard to change in subject. See Appendix(1).

 

Fifth & Sixth Year(Traditional L.C.)

Students normally take seven L.C. subjects. The option lines may vary from year to year. At this stage students are discouraged from changing subject .See Appendix(1). Students select a level when making their exam entry but may change on the day. Students transferring from other schools must do three years post J.C.(with the exception of L.C.A. students).

 

Homework

The school has a written homework policy. See Appendix (3)

Assessment

·         Progress is monitored on an ongoing basis via homework and class work.

·         Some subjects may require practical or project work which is assessed.

·         Class tests are held in all subjects on a regular basis.

·          Formal house exams are held at the end of the Christmas and Summer terms. The results of these exams are communicated to parents accompanied by teacher comments. This applies to students in First Year; Second Year; T.Y. and Fifth Year. Parent-teacher meetings are held to discuss the academic progress of students.

·          Students in Third Year ( both J.C. and J.C.S.P.) have class tests in Oct with a written report sent to parents. They have formal house exams at Christmas with a written report sent to parents. They also sit Pre-Junior Cert exams in Feb. A parent-teacher meeting is held to discuss the academic progress of students. These exams replicate the Junior Certificate examination in  layout and timing. Following this exam a written report is sent home to parents. It is at this stage that students are required to decide on the level they wish to enter for each of their subjects.

·         Students in Sixth Year receive  3 monthly reports prior to Christmas which are based on a number of class tests. They also sit Pre-Leaving Cert exams in Feb. These exams replicate the Leaving Certificate examination in layout and timing. Following this exam a written report is sent home to parents. A parent-teacher meeting is held to discuss the academic progress of students.

·         L.C.A. students are assessed on the basis of a number of completed modules. They also take written exams in a number of areas at Christmas and Summer in 5th Yr. They also sit  pre-exams in February of 6th Yr. A parent-teacher meeting is held to discuss the academic progress of students.

 

 

 

Role of Principal

The allocation of students to classes and teacher timetables are the sole prerogative of the Principal. Student and parental choice in relation to subjects and levels will be facilitated as far as possible. Parental requests for the allocation of students to specific teachers cannot be accepted. The Principal  advises the board of management on curriculum issues following consultation with parents; students and staff.

 

Role of Board of Studies

The Board of Studies is a sub-committee of the board of management. It’s membership comprises a number of teachers representing the views of the various faculties within the school. It’s role is to monitor curricular provision and advise the board. A new Board of Studies is appointed by each new board of management.

 

Policy review: This policy to be reviewed every three years. It was ratified by the B.O.M. on ___________ .

Review date: May 2013

 

Signed: _______________________________

            Sr. Columba Gargan (Chairperson  B.O.M.)

 

 

 

 

Appendix 1

Procedure for changing classes.

 

Class Sizes:

Home Economics…………………………………20

Science & Practical Subjects…………………….24

All others………………………………………...30

 

First Year.

First Years are given six weeks to sample optional subjects and then they, in consultation with parents, choose two. In as far as is possible their choices are accommodated but this is not always the case. Taking into account their age and the fact that they are new to the second level system we should be as flexible as possible in accommodating changes after the initial selection process.

Procedure for change:

Student should discuss the matter with the Guidance Counsellor.

Parental permission must be obtained.

Preferably teacher will be informed by Guidance Counsellor that student is joining class.

Student must be accommodated if class size, as outlined above, permits.

Teachers should not allow students to change unless the above procedure is followed.

 

Fourth Year.

Students select their 4 optional subjects at the end of Third Year. The Programme Coordinator then draws up subject groupings which are given to the Principal for timetabling and to teachers. Given the ethos of Transition Year, the early selection and the fact that JC Results may change minds it is imperative that maximum flexibility is shown to students.

Procedure for change:

Student should discuss the matter with Programme Coordinator, later in the year this discussion should be with Guidance Counsellor.

Parental permission must be obtained.

Preferably teacher will be informed by Programme Coordinator\Guidance Counsellor that student is joining class.

Student must be accommodated if class size, as outlined above, permits.

Teachers should not allow students to change unless the above procedure is followed.

 

 

 

 

 

Second & Fifth Years.

At these stages a significant amount of course work has been covered therefore changes should be discouraged but cannot be prohibited.

Procedure:

Matter should be discussed with the current teacher.

Implications of move should be fully discussed with Guidance Counsellor.

Teacher of new subject must be consulted.

Parental permission must be obtained.

Student must be accommodated if class size, as outlined above, permits.

Teachers should not allow students to change unless the above procedure is followed.

The onus is on the student to catch up on any course work missed and this fact should be communicated to him\her by teacher of new subject.

 

Third & Sixth Years:

Only in extraordinary circumstances would a move at this stage be considered.

Procedure:

Matter should be discussed with the current teacher.

Implications of move should be fully discussed with Guidance Counsellor.

Teacher of new subject must be consulted.

Parent should discuss the change with the Principal before any decision is reached.

Student must be accommodated if class size, as outlined above, permits.

Teachers should not allow students to change unless the above procedure is followed.

The onus is on the student to catch up on any course work missed and this fact should be communicated to him\her by both the Principal and teacher of new subject.

 

 

 

Any student who has not followed these procedures should not be admitted to a new class but should be told to follow the procedures first.

 

In all cases the onus is on the student to catch up on any course work missed.

 

When a student has followed the procedures he\she must not, under any circumstances, be turned away from a class. If the teacher is unhappy with the move the student should be admitted temporarily until the teacher has an opportunity to discuss the matter with the Principal.

 

 

 

 

Procedure for giving up a subject.

All Junior Cycle students are expected to take 10 examination subjects in addition to RE, PE & SPHE. All Senior Cycle students are expected to take 7 examination subjects in addition to RE & PE (4TH. & 5TH Years). There are additional Modules and subjects for Transition Year students.

It should be extremely rare for any student not to follow the school curriculum as outlined above. A very small number of students have exemptions from Irish and only those with exemptions are excused from taking the subject. In a minority of cases it may be decided that a student can benefit from a smaller number of subjects and additional support in the core subjects.

 Before a student is given permission to give up a subject or to sit in the class and do other work:

The matter must be discussed with both the Guidance Counsellor and Learning Support Teacher.

The Principal must be kept informed.

 The parents\guardians must be given the opportunity to discuss the matter with the teacher.

 The parent\guardian must put the request in writing.

Written approval must be given to the teacher by the Principal.

Every effort will be made to provide students in this position with Learning Support. If this is not possible he\she will have to remain in the assigned class.

 

 

Appendix 2

 

Procedure to be followed for future changes in class structures.

 

 

1)  Principal to be informed of intention to divide up students at least five school days prior to proposed division.

 

2)  Principal to be informed of rationale being used in setting up classes eg. Higher Level Class, Ordinary Level Class, Mixed Ability Class.

 

3)  Principal to be informed of criteria being used to allocate students to classes. School Policy of allowing as many as possible follow Higher Level for as long as possible should be followed. Ethos of Transition Year should be preserved.

 

4)  Principal to be given proposed Class Lists at least three days prior to division.

 

These steps are necessary to enable me to deal with questions and requests from parents which invariably follow class divisions.